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Palaeoanthropology

Department of Archaeology,
Faculty of Arts and Humanities

Through imaginative teaching and world-leading research, we inspire our students to explore.

Course description

Palaeoanthropology traces the evolution of humanity. It reflects our desire to understand where we come from, which is part of what it means to be human. This is a subject that attracts intense interest from the public and from academics of all disciplines. It’s increasingly recognised as providing important insights into human behaviour and cognition.

Our MSc draws on the latest thinking, combining biological anthropology, human and comparative anatomy, primatology and hominid palaeontology to give you an advanced understanding of the subject and its possibilities.

Closely integrated modules develop your understanding of the palaeoanthropological record. You will also get training in the analytical techniques required to describe and interpret skeletal and fossil evidence – this includes an introduction to 2D and 3D imaging.

Modules

Core modules

Research design: planning, execution and presentation or Archaeozoology

Human anatomy

Human osteology

Evolutionary anatomy

Dissertation

Optional modules

Select 30 credits from the following:

Research Design: Planning, Execution and Presentation or Archaeozoology

Osteoarchaeological Assemblage Analysis

Applied Archaeological Science

Biological Anthropology 1

And select modules to the value of 30 credits from across the faculties of Arts and Humanities, Social Sciences or Science.

Teaching

You can expect a balanced timetable of lectures, seminars and practicals. You’ll have access to specialist labs and world-class reference collections. Many of our masters courses include a fieldwork or project-based component.

We integrate humanities and science-based approaches to nurture a deeper understanding. You’ll have the opportunity to explore different viewpoints and make up your own mind about their strengths and weaknesses.

We’ll help you to develop your critical thinking as well as your practical skills. What we ask of you, as a member of our lively academic community, is that you challenge, question, and explore.

Duration

1 year full-time

2 years part-time

I love the mix of both theoretical and practical teaching we get. We have seminars but we also get to handle the materials, which is fun and interesting.

Margaret James,
Postgraduate student in the Department of Archaeology

Entry requirements

Usually a minimum 2:1 honours degree in an arts, humanities or science subject. But your interest in and understanding of archaeology is more important than what you studied at undergraduate level.

English language requirements

Overall IELTS grade of 6.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in each component, or equivalent.

Fees and funding

Studentships

If you accept a place on a course, you may be eligible to apply for White Rose College of the Arts and Humanities (WRoCAH) and University of Sheffield studentships. We also offer a number of department and course-specific scholarships. See the department's fees and funding page for more information.